A civil society organisation, the Centre for Legislative Accountability and Democratic Integrity (CLADI), has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate allegations of financial inducement in the contest for the Minority Leader position in the House of Representatives.

The call follows the emergence of Imo lawmaker, Ikenga Ugochinyere, as the preferred candidate of a majority of opposition lawmakers for the position, a development that has generated controversy within the National Assembly.

In a petition dated June 5, 2026, CLADI urged the DSS to probe claims that some lawmakers may have been influenced with money to support specific candidates in the leadership contest.

The petition was signed by the group’s National President, Usman Abdullahi, and National Secretary, Chika Nwafor.

“The National Assembly occupies a sacred position in our constitutional democracy. Any suggestion that principal officers are being produced through financial inducement rather than democratic consensus must be investigated,” the group said.

CLADI also referenced claims made by House Deputy Spokesman Philip Agbese, who alleged that his signature was forged and denied endorsing any candidate or receiving money in support of the process.

The organisation said the allegations, though unverified, were serious enough to require urgent investigation in order to protect public trust in the legislature.

“We are compelled to bring this matter to your attention because of reports alleging that substantial sums of foreign currency were offered to lawmakers to secure endorsements,” the petition added.

According to CLADI, Nigerians must be assured that leadership decisions in the House of Representatives are based on due process, consensus, and democratic principles rather than financial inducement.

It urged the DSS to examine all relevant information and determine whether any wrongdoing occurred, stressing that accountability was necessary to preserve confidence in democratic institutions.

“The question is simple: were these endorsements based on conviction or were they procured through inducement? The answer is critical to public trust,” the group said.

CLADI warned that failure to properly address the allegations could deepen public mistrust in the legislative process and Nigeria’s democratic system.

The position of Minority Leader is the highest-ranking opposition office in the House of Representatives and plays a key role in coordinating opposition positions on legislation and government oversight.